Electromagnetic musical instrument.



G. BREED.

ELECTROMAGNETIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1912.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE BREED, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE LYRACHOED COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

Application filed March 29, 1912. Serial No. 687,010.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE BREED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, and useful Electromagnetic Musical Instrument, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to musical instruments wherein sonorous members are caused to vibrate by electro-magnets excited by pulsating currents and its primary object is to enable the performer to increase the volume of any note desired with resulting solo effect, particularly in playing an'automatic piano.

In its preferred form, my improved mechanism comprises the combination with the strings, of an automatic piano adapted for using perforated sheet music and electromagnetic means adapted for vibrating such strings, of means adapted to be operated in accordance with a record on said sheet for increasing the current exciting particular electro-magnets and thereby increasing the force acting upon the corresponding strings with resulting increased volume of tone.

The characteristic features of my improvements are fully disclosed in the following description and the accompanying drawings in illustration thereof.

Referring to the drawing forming part of this application, the figure is a diagrammatic representation of mechanism embodying my invention.

In the drawing, 1, 1, 1, and 1 represent in diagram a number of the piano strings combined with which are the respective electro-magnets 2, 2, 2 and 2, which are connected by the conductors 3, 3, 3", and 3 with the main conductor 4 and by the conductors 5, 5, 5 and 5 with the respective resilient contacts 6, 6, 6 and 6, the conductor 4 being connected at one end with a battery7, or other source of electrical energy, and at the other end having an extension 4 which is connected with the contact 8, 8 and 8", and through the resistance coils 9 and 9 with the contacts.

A conductor 10, connected to the battery through the switch 10, isconnected with a conductor 11 terminating in a resilient contact 12 and containing, a pulsator 13; with a conductor 11 terminating in a resilient contact 12 and containing a pulsator 13; with a conductor ll terminating in a resilient have invented a new.

15 and 15 containingthe respective resistances 16, 16, 16 and16 and terminate in the resilient contacts 17, 17, 17 b and 17, the latter contacts being fixed on a rail 18 of insulating material rated. Contacts 19, 19, 19 and 19, fixed to the rail and electrically. separated, are

normally engaged by the respective contacts 17, 17, 17 and 17 and normally engage a conducting bridge 20 fixed on a revoluble cylinder 21. With this bridge the contacts 8, 8, and 8 are adapted to engage simultaneously so as to cutout the resistances 9 and 9; or, by turning the cylinder in the direction of the arrow thereon, the-contacts 8 and 8 are successively disengaged: from the bridge and the resistances 9 and 9 cut in successively.

The cylinder 21 is turned by an eccentric pin 22 which is connected with a push rod 23 having thereon a button 24 acting against a spring 25, whereby the bridge is held nor mally in engagement with all the contacts 8, 8 and 8 The circuits containing the respective contacts 17, 17 17 and 17 are broken by lifting such contacts from engagement with the corresponding contacts 19, 19, 19 and 19, which is effected by a traveler 26 adapted to slide on a rail 27 and which traveler has a non-conducting crown or curved top 26. A rod 28 connects the traveler 26 with an arm and being electrically'sepa- 29 on a shaft 30 adapted to turn in bearings i 31 and having the arm 32 thereon. A rod 33 connects the arm 29 with an arm 34 on a shaft 35 which is turned in the bearings 36 by a handle 37. Av rod 38 connects the arm 32 with a bar 39 which is' movable longitudinally through the bearing 40 and has the pointer 41 thereon which is movable parallel to the tracker bar 42. The traveling perforated sheet 43 is provided with a record, as the line 44, with which the pointer 41 can be kept in registration by manipulating the handle 37. During this operation, the traveler 26 is correspondin y moved to elevate the desired contacts 1%, 17, 17 or 17, corresponding to the particular electro-magnet which it is desired to energize so as to the abstracts, engage the respective con tacts 6, 6, 6 and 6, and upona further up ward movement the contacts6, 6, 6 and engage the respective contacts 14, 14 14 and 14.

The switch 10 being closed and the abstract 45 elevated to eiiect the engagement of the contact 12 with the contacts 6 without engaging the latter with the contact 14, current passes from the battery 7, through theelectrofmagnet 2, by way of the parts ,3,- 5, 6, 12,11, 13, 10, and 10, whereby the string 1 is sounded. Upon further elevating the abstract45 to eiiect the engagement of the contact 6; with the contact 14, a desired proportion of the current (determined by the resistance 16) is shunted around the electromagnet 2, passing through .the-parts 4, 8, 20, 19,17, 15, 16, 14, 6, 12; 11,13, 10' and 10. If the lever 37 be operated (in correspondence with the record on the sheet 43) to move the traveler 26 under the contact 17 and disengage it from'the contact 19, the shunt circuit around the electro magnet 2 will be broken, the larger amount of current will fiow throughthis electro-magnet and the resulting greater electro-magnetic force exerted thereby upon the string 1 will result inthe production of a louder note. With the contact 17 in the elevated position and the instrument operated so that the Several abstracts efi'ect the engagement of the respective contacts 6, 6, 6 and 6 with the corresponding contacts 14, 14, 1'4" and 14,- full current will pass through the electro-magnet 2, while reduced current will pass through. the remaining electro magnets 2 2" and 2, because, with'respect to the electro-magnet '2, current, which would otherwise pass therethrough, is shunted by way of the parts 4 s, 20, 19 17=, 15, 1e, 6, 12 ,11, 13, 10 and 10; with respect to the electro-magnet 2", current which would otherwise pass therethrough is shunted by way of the parts 4, 8, 20, 19", 17", 15", 14", 6", 12 11", 13", 10 and 10 and with respect to the electro-magnet. 2, current, which would otherwise pass therethrough, is shunted by way of'the parts 4, 8, 20, 19, 17, 15, 16, 14, 6, 12, 11, 13, 10 and 10. lin a similar manner, solo notes are produced by the respective strings 1, 1", and 1, by shifting the traveler 26 and elevating the .correspondingicontacts 17, 17 and 17.

It will he understood that by pushing in the button 24 and turning the cylinder 21 until the bridge is withdrawn from the con- 'through and increased current in the complementary circuits containing the electromagnets, with production of louder tones by the corresponding strings. Hence the relatlon of the accompaniment to the solo notes may be varied? By turning the bridge 20 so as to withdraw it from the contacts 8, 8 and 8", the shunt circuits are broken and the solo action eliminated.

While the drawing is diagrammatic, it is understood of course, that the invention is especially adapted to be applied to a piano in which the strings and actions are ar ranged in the ordinary way, and which piano can be played automatically from a perforated note-sheet running over a tracker and that the button and lever are arranged in a convenient position thereon for manual manipulation.

The details of such an instrument are shown more fully in a previous application for atent filed by me March 20, 1912, Serial o. 684,922.

The details and arrangements herein shown and described may be greatly varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a musical instrument, the combination of the strings, a set of electromagnets, and corresponding pulsators for vibrating the strings, and a single'device effective to vary the current flowing through any so lected magnet in said set at the will of the performer, whereby a solo efiect may be attained. V

2. In a musical instrument, the combination of the strings, a set of electromagnets and corresponding pulsators for vibrating the strings. a main circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and efi'ective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, and a single means effective to decrease the current flowing in any selected shunt circuit at the will of the performer. thereby increasing the current passing through the corresponding magnet and in- When the button is pushed in farcreasing its effect upon the corresponding string, whereby a solo effect may be attaine 3. In an automatic piano, the combination of a perforated note sheet, a set of strings, a set ofelectromagnets and pulsators for vibrating said strings, and a single means adapted to be manually operated .in accordance with indications on the note sheet and effective to increase the current'fiowing in any selected electro-magnet at the will of theperformer thereby increasing the force actingupon the corresponding string to produce a solo effect.

4. In a musical instrument, the'coiiibination of'the strings, a set of-electromagnets and corresppnding pulsators for vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit foreach branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and eifective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said 'magnet, said separate shunt circuits having one portion in common, and means to vary the resistance-0f said common portion.

5. In a musical instrument, the combination of the strings, a set of electro-magnets and corresponding pulsators for vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a, source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet' and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and efi'ective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, said separate shunt circuits having one portion in common, and

means to vary the resistance of said common portion or to open the circuit therethrough.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination of the strings, a set of electromagnets and corresponding pulsators for vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet andassociated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and effective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, said separate shunt circuits having one portion in common, means to vary the resistance of said common portion,

and a single deviceefiective to open any selected shunt circuit at the will ofrthe per former without disturbing the remaining shunt circuits. 7

7. In a musical instrument, the combination of the strings, a set of electromagnets and corresponding pulsators for-vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and efi'ective when closed to reduce the current flowing through open said'common portion or to vary the resistance thereof, and additional means effective to open any' selected shunt circuit at the will of the performer thereby increasing the flow of current through the associated electromagnet and producing a solo efiect.

8. In a piano, the combination of the strings, a set of clectromagnets and pulsators for vibrating the strings, a branch circuit for each of said electromagnets, a corresponding shunt circuit-for diminishing the current passing through said magnet, circuit closing devices for each branch circuit, and means whereby the shunt circuit associated with any selected magnet may be disconnected to increase the flow of current through said magnet without disturbing the remaining shunt circuits.

9. In a piano, the combination of the strings, a set of electromagnets and pulsa-tors for vibrating the strings, a branch circuit for each of said electromagnets, a corresponding shunt circuit for diminishing the current passing through said. magnet, circuit closing devices, manually operated means effective to open the shunt circuit associated with a selected electromagnet, a perforated note sheet, and an indicating .device adapted to cooperate with a record on said note sheet and connectedto said manually-operated circuit-opening means.

10. In a piano adapted to be operated from a perforated notesheet, the combination of the perforated note sheet, the strings, a set of electromagnets and pulsators. for vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected'in parallel with said magnet and e'fiective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, circuit closing devices for each branch circuit, a contact in each shunt circuit, and manually operated means whereby any particular contact can be disengaged and the current excitingthe corresponding electromagnet can be thereby increased in force without disturbing the connections for the remaining magnets.

11. In a piano adapted tobe operated from a perforated note sheet, the combination of the perforated note sheet, the strings, a set of electromagnets and pulsators for vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a source of electricity a branch circuit for each elcctromagnet and associated pulsator, ashunt-circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and effective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, circuit closing devices for each branch circuit. a contact in each shunt circuit, a tra eler fordisengaging any selected contact, and manually operated means for moving said traveler.

12. In a piano adapted to be operated from a perforated note sheet, the combination of the perforated note sheet, the strings, a set of electromagnets and pulsators for vibrata a I I I mg the strings, a, mam circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and effective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, circuit closing devices for each branch circuit; a contact in each shunt circuit, a traveler for disengaging any selected contact, manually operated means for actuating said traveler, and an indicator connected to said means and adapted toco5perate with the markings on the perforated note sheet.

13. In a piano adapted to be operated from a perforated note sheet, the combination of the perforated note sheet, the strings, a set of ele'ctromagnets and pulsators for vibrating the strings, a main circuit including a source of electricity, a branch circuit for each electromagnet and associated pulsator, a shunt circuit for each branch circuit connected in parallel with said magnet and effective when closed to reduce the current flowing through said magnet, circuit closing devices for each branch circuit, a contact in each shunt circuit, a traveler for disengaging any one of said contacts, manually operated means for actuating said traveler, an indicator connected to said means and adapted to coarrears means for supplying a substantially equal.

amount of current to the respective electromagnets, automatic mechanism for controlling the current supplying means, and manually operated means for causing an increased amount of current to be supplied to any desired electro-magnet with the production of a solo efi'ect.

16. In a musical instrument, the combination of the strings, a set of electro-magnets and pulsators for vibrating said strings, means comprising a perforated sheet for effectingcthe desired action of said electromagnets, and manually operated mechanism wherebyvthe actionof any desired,electromagnet can be varied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set of electromagnets' my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE BREED. Witnesses:

Joe. G. KENNY, Jr., J. DEW. DUNVCAN. 

